FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Fr. Nicholas Tacito, O.Praem
310-547-1138
MARY STAR HIGH SCHOOL NAMES ALUMNI RICK IBARRA NEW HEAD BASEBALL COACH
After Twenty-three Years of Coaching Experience at Collegiate and High School Levels,
Coach Ibarra Returns to Lead Stars for a Second Time
San Pedro, Calif., July 6, 2015 – Mary Star of the Sea High School announces Rick Ibarra as the new head coach of Mary Star Baseball. Mr. Ibarra has taught at Mary Star since 1998, and returns for his second stint at the helm for the baseball team. In 2002, his Stars were the only baseball team in school history to reach the CIF Championship Game and that team still holds the school record for most wins with 23. During that season, Mr. Ibarra was named the 2002 South Bay Coach of the Year by the Los Angeles Times and the Daily Breeze and selected to coach the South Bay Athletic Club All Star Classic.
Since leaving the Mary Star program in 2004, Mr. Ibarra has spent most of his time as an assistant coach at Los Angeles Harbor College, helping to lead the team to the 2007 Super Regionals. Until spring 2015, he served Harbor College in many capacities, including pitching coach, third base coach, offensive coach, infield coach, Director of Field Maintenance and Director of Baseball Operations. While at Harbor College, Mr. Ibarra volunteered extensively to promote youth athletics at organizations including Torrance American Baseball (2013 All-Star Team Finished Second in the World), Eastview Little League, San Pedro Girls Softball Association, multiple Travel Ball organizations as well as Palos Verdes Youth Football and Cheer. He has also served as Camp Director (1993-2014) for former L.A. Dodgers coach Mark Cresse School of Baseball instructing children ages 5 to 16 on all aspects of baseball. Prior to coaching at Mary Star, Mr. Ibarra worked as an assistant coach at Narbonne High School and competed in the CIF City Championship Game at Dodger Stadium (1996).
“As a previous assistant coach and head coach of Mary Star Baseball, Rick was a part of six (6) League Championships for our school,” says Principal Rita Dever. “His coaching successes and 20 years of teaching in the classroom have made a positive impact on the lives of students and athletes. His dedication to not just teaching the sport but emphasizing the love of the game, sportsmanship and hard work will benefit our program greatly.”
Based in San Pedro, California, Mary Star of the Sea High School serves the Los Angeles Harbor Area through a college preparatory program, four-year honor/AP track option and traditional Catholic values.
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